Whether they're stepping onto a red carpet or doing a flurry of press appearances, stars aren't fully dressed without a manicure. For some, that means choosing a bold colour to make a subtle statement during award season [1]. Others prefer a low-key, barely there bit of polish (y'know, all the better to show off a few carats' worth of diamonds). So chances are, there's a famous face whose nail style might inspire your own, no matter whether your own manicure M.O. involves nail art [2] or minimalism.
And when you've found your nail-polish soulmate, you'll likely want to add some of the most on-trend colours to your own collection. That's where Sephora [3] comes in, where you'll find not just the professional-quality tools necessary to create a home manicure, but also a curated collection of nail lacquers to fit every outfit, moment, and mood. That shade your favourite supermodel just wore on the runway? Find it at Sephora. The exact polish you saw on the best supporting actress winner? It's at Sephora — along with the shades her co-nominees were wearing. Better still, a curated collection of on-trend hues means you'll never be overwhelmed by choice or bored by been-there-before colours.
Ahead, you'll find 10 celebrity-favourite nail essentials, from polish colours to prep products. Consider this your cheat sheet to having famously gorgeous nails; after all, as the star of your own life, don't you deserve to be fully dressed for the part?
Deborah Lippmann Rich Girl Hand Cream
Lady Gaga [4], Lupita Nyong'o, Dakota Johnson [5], Penelope Cruz [6], Cara Delevingne . . . those are just a few of the stars who have called upon Deborah Lippmann to work her manicure magic. The highly regarded manicurist begins each of her manicures with Deborah Lippmann Rich Girl Hand Cream [7] ($28), a thick-but-never-greasy treatment that softens while protecting skin with SPF 25.
Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish
How to look like Gisele Bundchen at last year's Met Gala: First, procure a sustainably made Dior gown. Second, link arms with a handsome NFL quarterback. Third, paint nails with Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish [8] ($20) in Delicate, a shimmering pale pink. (Note that choosing any one of these three options will pretty much make you feel like Gisele's twin.)
Nails Inc. Nail Polish
For It-girl Brits with fashion cred to spare, Nails Inc. Nail Polish [9] ($11) is the name to know. Victoria Beckham [10] and Alexa Chung have both collaborated with the brand, and with good reason — the polish colours are always one step ahead of the mainstream. This terracotta shade, Just Dropped, is the perfect reddish-brown to complement the creams and tans currently favoured by stylish trendsetters.
Nails Inc. Nail Polish
Another note on Nails Inc. Nail Polish [11] ($11): Living Your Best Life, a sunny yellow hue, looks like a good match for the colour used in Harry Styles's happy-face manicure [12] — if you're so inclined to create something similarly cheerful.
Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamoured Hi-Shine Nail Polish
Plenty of male designers have created their own beauty collections, but relatively few actually wear it themselves. Not so with Marc Jacobs, who started using #MalePolish years ago on his Instagram [13] — where, in almost every photo, he sports fresh lacquer. Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamoured Hi-Shine Nail Polish [14] ($18) in My Glaze, a rich garnet, makes regular appearances thanks to its versatility and punky version of glamour.
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin
Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin [15] ($50) is a wet-look, long-wearing formula bottled in a striking faceted bottle that deserves to be displayed. Khloe Kardashian is a fan of the lacquer collection, as is celebrity manicurist Robbie Tomkins, who works with the likes of Hailey Baldwin and Liv Tyler [16].
Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish
At this year's Golden Globe awards, Laura Dern wore [17] Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish [18] ($20) in Skin Deep, topped with one thin layer of Stargasm, a shimmery rose-gold shade. Coincidentally, this sophisticated combination just happens to look phenomenal next to a Golden Globe award.
Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamoured Hi-Shine Nail Polish
Kendall Jenner frequently posts her latest manicure to Instagram Stories, but she rarely shares the name of her polish shade. (Mysterious!) If you were feeling her citrusy orange manicure [19] from a while back, you might want to pick up Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamoured Hi-Shine Nail Polish [20] ($18) in Snap! The bold mandarin hue is a ringer for KJ's chosen colour, and it's a colour you don't see every day. Or even every week.
Sephora Collection Colour Hit Mini Nail Polish
Manicurist Tom Bachik, who regularly paints the nails of Jennifer Lopez [21], says [22] the superstar is favouring neutral shades with sparkly top coats. For a goes-with-everything look inspired by J.Lo, try Sephora Collection Colour Hit Mini Nail Polish [23] ($5) in Sugar Coated, an ultra-shiny sheer pink. Top it with a coat of Girls Night Out, a shimmering gold with microglitter, for extra flash.
Sephora Collection Colour Hit Mini Nail Polish
Stranger Things [24]' Millie Bobby Brown likes to be playful with her manicures, as shown by the glitter-topped nails [25] she sported at her Florence by Mills launch. Inspired to try the style for yourself? Sephora Collection Colour Hit Mini Nail Polish [26] ($5) in Silver Fever, with sparkling specks and hexagons, is an easy (and affordable) way to get the look.